A colonoscopy is one of the most hated medical tests, but it’s also one of the most important and it can save your life.

Sonora Quest labs understands the importance of being aware of your colon health, so they’ve developed a blood test to detect colon cancer warning signs. The test looks for protein markers that are usually present with tumors. The test is 94% accurate.

Beacon Biomedical partnered with Sonora Quest to provide the test, and the CEO, Don Weber, said that those who’ve used the test are satisfied with the process.

“People are taking it and being navigated to colonoscopy. In fact, we just got our first win the other day. We were able to pick up a pre-cancerous lesion and it was removed and it’s very exciting,” he said. The patient who had the pre-cancerous lesion was in her 50s and never had had a colonoscopy, even though screening should’ve begun at age 45.

Despite the promising results, the test shouldn’t be used as a replacement for a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is the still the most effective way to detect and treat colon cancer. The blood test can be completed without a doctor’s order, and it costs $170. Schedule your test online using their online scheduling system. Visit sonoraquest.com/appointments for more information.